A/N: So a couple weeks ago I found an incredibly awesome fanart by the lovely bluehippopo on deviantart: art/Avengers-CAFE-312137426
Well I was instantly inspired and yada yada, so no need to thank me. Thank bluehippopo.

Prologue

A strapping, black-haired twenty-something stood inside a street corner phone booth, barely sheltered against the torrential snowstorm that was Chicago in January. Hands shaking, he pulled his one and only remaining quarter from the recesses of his empty wallet.

Somehow, he managed to slide the coin into the narrow slot, and nestled the handset between his chin and shoulder. Hands free, he pulled a crumpled slip of paper from his pocket. 312-555-5309, it read—a number he hadn't cared to dial in over half a decade. He held his breath as the call went through. It would be a miracle if the person he was trying to reach still lived in that sad excuse for an apartment. It would be an even bigger miracle if that person still cared for his moody misanthrope of a younger brother, adopted no less. But after being fired, dumped, and evicted in the span of two short weeks, the caller was running out of options.

"Hello?" said the booming, all-too-familiar voice of a certain Thor Odinson.

"...Hi Thor, I know this is out of nowhere, but-"

"Loki? You can't... is that really you?"

"No, genius, I'm with the FBI."

A one-man chorus of laughter burst through the pay phone's failing speakers. "Well I'll be damned, it's really Loki Laufeyson! God, I've missed you so much..."

"Two minutes remaining," the operator announced.

Loki sighed, remembering why he'd left his family alone for over five years. "Look, I know you're happy, but I'm on a pay phone and-"

"It's been too long, little bro. How've you been, and tell me everything!"

"One minute remaining."

"Okay Thor, I've got to make this brief. I... need your help."

Silence.

"Okay. I'll meet you at the Pier in an hour," the blonde said.

Loki nodded, despite knowing his brother couldn't see it. "Sure."

"... I'm glad to have you back, bro."

The younger sibling opened his mouth to speak, when he was cut off.

"Call time expired. Please hang up or insert another coin."

Loki stood frozen for a moment, then hung the phone on its rack. And with that, he slid out of the booth to brave the elements once more.